Burma refugees face Thai deadline

By Simon Montlake
BBC News, Bangkok

Thailand has recently improved links with Burma's military junta

Thailand has ordered the relocation of about 3,000 Burmese political refugees to the Thai-Burma border.

If they do not comply, they face being arrested and deported back to Burma.

The refugees, who are recognised by the UN Refugee Agency as "persons of concern", have until the end of Thursday to report to Thai authorities.

The US-based organisation Human Rights Watch has criticised the move, which it says is aimed at weakening Burma's international pro-democracy movement.

An estimated one million Burmese are thought to live and work in Thailand, but of these only a tiny number are considered to be political dissidents.

In recent years the climate for these dissidents has grown increasingly chilly, as Thailand has forged closer links with Burma's military junta.

Now the Thai government has told Burmese refugees living in Bangkok and other urban areas that they can no longer stay there.

Instead they have to move to one of three existing camps along the border with Burma.

No mobile phones or other electronic devices will be allowed into the camps, making it difficult for political activists to continue their work.

Thailand insists that the relocation is necessary on the grounds of national security.